Thursday, April 30, 2015

Lyle Thompson’s Nine Points Guides University of Albany Men's Lacrosse to America East Title Game - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – With Lyle Thompson scoring nine points, breaking the 100-point mark for the third year in a row, and the defense holding its opponent to two second half goals, the #7/7 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team defeated Hartford 15-6 to advance to its fourth-consecutive America East title game. With the score tied 4-4 with 12:20 remaining in the second quarter, 1-seed UAlbany (14-2) held 4-seed Hartford (7-8) to two goals the rest of the way, using runs of 4-0 and 5-0 to seal the victory. “This is probably the hardest game to play as the 1-seed,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, who takes UAlbany to its 12th America East title appearance in 14 years. “I thought we came out tight, but give credit to Hartford, they played outstanding. Our defense played well, and we fought through it.” This sets up a SUNY-rematch for the America East title game on Saturday, May 2nd at 10 a.m. at Bob Ford Field as UAlbany will play 2-seed Stony Brook, which defeated 3-seed Vermont 16-13 in the first semifinal game. Thompson finished with five goals and four assists for nine points, totaling 101 on the season for his third-consecutive 100+ point season. No other player in Division I men’s lacrosse history has more than one 100+ point season. “We knew offensively, we had to play more structured,” said Thompson. “Coach [Marr] was telling me to get high on the dodge. Once I scored some goals, they were coming to me a bit better.” Blaze Riorden anchored the UAlbany defense, saving nine shots on 15 Hartford attempts on goal, adding seven ground balls. As a whole, UAlbany caused 15 Hartford turnovers, with AJ Kluck, Tim Cox and Stone Sims each causing a pair, and successfully defended against all five Hartford man-up chances. It is the top defensive performance for UAlbany in the America East Tournament since defeating Stony Brook 17-5 in the conference semifinals on March 3rd, 2007. “”I was seeing the ball well, and the defense gave up shots that I could save,” said Riorden. “Our offense gave us that cushion that kept us loose.” Connor Fields scored three goals and an assist, adding four ground balls. Taking over duties at the center-X in the second quarter, Cason Liles won 12-of-15 faceoffs. For Hartford, Justin Huggins netted a hat trick with a pair of caused turnovers while Kevin O’Shea had two goals, an assist and two caused turnovers. Ryan Vanderford got the loss in goal despite 17 saves. UAlbany struck first a little more than three minutes elapsed as Thompson found Fields wide open on a man-up situation for the rocket and score. Huggins countered on the catch and shoot 80 seconds later. UAlbany got back the ball; Kyle McClancy ran back and forth around the cage, getting free and scoring. Huggins added another with 2:38 left in the quarter, receiving the pass from O’Shea and scoring. Thompson countered with his strong move, getting inside his defender and scoring next to the goal circle, making it 3-2, the eventual end of first quarter score. After forcing a turnover on the defensive side, Bennett Drake got the pass from Matt Garziano in transition and scored. O’Shea rolled off two goals in a span of 16 seconds to tie the game at 4-4 with 12:20 left in the 2nd. UAlbany responded minutes later with a couple of quick goals, with Seth Oakes getting free against an offsides seven-man Hartford defense and scoring close range and Thompson against getting between his defender and the cage and scoring. Thompson posted up next to the circle and scored again with 1:52 left in the period, putting the score at 7-4 at the half. The defenses ruled in the first part of the third quarter, with Vanderford saving UAlbany shots and the Great Danes forcing turnovers on the Hartford offense. UAlbany drew the man-up situation and converted as Cox peppered a shot straight-away. Hartford pulled to within three of a Griffin Feiner catch and shoot goal. UAlbany countered 26 seconds later on a Thompson to Fields score, adding another as Ky Tarbell scored off the assist from Adam Osika. In the closing minutes of the period, UAlbany converted two man-up chances, with Thompson drawing the defense to find Jake Cullen next to the cage for the goal, then Thompson buried the low heave from Cox, giving UAlbany a 12-5 lead after three periods. UAlbany held off Hartford for the first 111:08 of the fourth, adding to the lead with Thompson netting his fifth goal of a spin move and score. Hartford broke its drough with a Huggins goal with 3:52 left. Osika and Fields added goals in the final minutes to seal the game for the Great Danes. UAlbany finished with the 15-6 victory.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Siena In Wednesday’s Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany softball team swept Wednesday afternoon’s doubleheader against cross-town rival Siena, mercy ruling the Saints in game one, 8-0, before rallying for a 6-4 come from behind victory in the nightcap. With the wins, the Great Danes improved to 27-16 on the season, while Siena fell to 17-24-1. “It’s not about who we played today, it’s about us getting back on track and doing the things that we need to do,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We need play defense behind out pitchers, our pitchers need to throw strikes, and we need to have quality at-bats in both games. We did that today.” In the opener, freshman hurler Erynn Sobieski tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering two hits while striking out two. She faced just two over the minimum and did not issue a single walk in the victory. Offensively, Sobieski earned plenty of support, as the Danes recorded 10 hits for eight runs. UAlbany scored first in the bottom of the third as Alexa Toole led off with a walk, and Kayla Bailey and Maggie Cocks ripped back-to-back singles. Cocks’ misplayed liner to left got by the Siena defense, allowing both Toole and Bailey to score. In the fifth, UAlbany rallied with two outs, as Liz Snow singled to left and Kelly Costello walked, setting up senior Marlin Solano’s three home run over the centerfield wall. Jess Tate reached on an error and junior Lindsey Haskell kept the inning alive with an RBI double to left, giving the Great Danes a 6-0 advantage. With the eight-run mercy rule approaching, Vicky McFarland led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo homer to left, extending her hitting streak to 21 games. Caitlin Cooper followed with a single and advanced to second on an outfield error, setting up Maggie Cocks’ walk-off RBI single to centerfield. Cocks, Solano, and Haskell led UAlbany at the plate with two hits apiece. Siena starter Amanda Gatt (8-9) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) and seven hits, while striking out four in 4.2 innings. Reliever Antonia Edwards was credited two runs and three hits in a third. In the nightcap, the Danes struck first again, scoring two runs in the opening frame. Loading the bases on a pair of walks and Cocks’ single up the middle, Solano came through with a two-out single to left, giving UAlbany a 2-0 head start. However, the Saints responded in the second with a quick four runs. Paige Hess and Alyssa Lancaster lined consecutive doubles to score one run, and Melanie Kalesse’s single up the middle set up Bridget Connors’ three-run home run over the left field fence. Those would be Siena’s final runs, however, as reliever Devin Durando came out of the pen to throw five scoreless and hitless innings, while striking out eight. Trailing 4-2, UAlbany made it a one-run game in the fourth on Cocks’ RBI single to left that plated Mackenzie Cleary. With time running out, the Great Danes turned the game around in the sixth sparked by McFarland’s one-out single through the left side. Battling at the plate, Toole belted a two-run home run just over the centerfield wall, giving the Danes’ a 5-4 lead. Cocks followed up with her fourth hit of the game, driving a double to left-centerfield, and Snow knocked her home with a single to right-center. “I didn’t think it was out, but I knew Vicky was going score and we were at least going to tie it,” said Cannata. “It was a good comeback for us.” Durando (13-5) earned the win after relieving starter Mackenzie Thompson in the third. Lauren Butts (8-9) took the loss, allowing six runs and 10 hits, while striking out four in the complete game. At the plate, Cocks led the squad, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. McFarland went 2-for-4, extending her hitting streak to 22 games, while Snow also logged two hits in the triumph. Up next, UAlbany closes the 2015 regular season, hosting Hartford Friday and Saturday in a key America East Conference series. Friday’s doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m., while Saturday’s Senior Game will have a 12:30 p.m. first pitch.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

University of Albany Men’s Lacrosse: Lyle Thompson Named America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year - UAlbany sports 2015

BOSTON – The public has spoken and has chosen UAlbany senior attack Lyle Thompson as the America East Men’s Lacrosse Fans’ Choice Player of the Year for the 2015 season. This comes one year after brother Miles Thompson was the Fans’ Choice Player of the Year last season, giving UAlbany the award the past two seasons. All seven America East teams nominated one representative for an online vote through the conference that lasted the past five days. Thompson received over 41% of the vote, receiving nearly double the amount of votes as the second-place finisher. Thompson leads all of Division I in points and assists per game, standing with 38 goals and 54 points to total 92 points. The 2014 Tewarraton Trophy co-winner was nominated for the same award for 2015. He and the Great Danes host Hartford on Thursday, April 30th at 7 p.m. for the semifinals of the America East Tournament.

University of Albany Golf Selected For St. George, Utah NCAA Women’s Golf Regional, May 7-9 - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Making their first NCAA Regional appearance, the University at Albany women’s golf team has been selected to compete in the St. George, Utah regional May 7-9, announced Monday during the NCAA Women's Golf Selection Show. The St. George regional will be played at Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club in St. George, Utah with Brigham Young University serving as the host institution. The committee selected 72 teams (including automatic qualifiers) and 24 individuals not on those teams for participation at one of the four regional sites -- Raleigh, N.C. (North Carolina State host), South Bend, Ind. (Notre Dame host), San Antonio, Texas (University of Texas host), and St. George, Utah (BYU host). Each regional site is comprised of 18 teams and six individuals (not on one of the selected teams). Six teams and the low three individuals not on an advancing team from each regional site will advance to the finals site. The Championship is May 22-27 at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. (University of South Florida host). Under the direction of second-year head coach Colleen Cashman-McSween, the UAlbany women’s golf team captured the program’s first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship Sunday at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. Freshman Annie Songeun Lee took the individual title and Rookie of the Year honors, while Cashman-McSween was named the 2015 MAAC Women’s Coach of the Year. WEST REGIONAL TEAMS 1. University of Southern California 2. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 3. University of Virginia (Atlantic Coast Conference) 4. Stanford University 5. Vanderbilt University 6. University of Nevada, Las Vegas 7. San Diego State University (Mountain West Conference) 8. University of Miami (Florida) 9. University of Colorado, Boulder 10. University of California, Berkeley 11. Southern Methodist University 12. Texas Christian University 13. University of Denver (The Summit League) 14. University of Wisconsin, Madison 15. Middle Tennessee State University (Conference USA) 16. New Mexico State University (Western Athletic Conference) 17. Northern Arizona University (Big Sky Conference) 18. University at Albany (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)

Monday, April 27, 2015

University of Albany Women's Golf Takes MAAC Championship - UAlbany Sports 2015

University of Albany Women's Golf Takes MAAC Championship - UAlbany Sports 2015

Sunday, April 26, 2015

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Earns Third-Straight Perfect America East Season - UAlbany sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – The #7/7 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team defeated UMBC 20-9 on Saturday to earn its third-consecutive perfect America East season, sixth league regular season title and winningest regular season in DI history. “We talked everyday about playing our standard,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, who has been at the helm for all six of UAlbany’s America East regular season titles. “[Our seniors] saw the older guys holding that tradition, and we want to play at that same level and intensity.” The Great Danes are the first men’s lacrosse team to earn three-straight undefeated America East seasons since Hofstra did from 1996-98. At 13-2, it is UAlbany’s best-ever pre-America East Tournament regular season in Division I era, surpassing the 12-2 mark set in 2007. “It is a great accomplishment,” said UAlbany senior captain Tim Cox, who scored two goals and two assists. “We have been fortunate to play well in every conference game the last three years.” UAlbany (13-2, 6-0 AE) dominated UMBC (5-8, 1-5 AE) in almost all facets of the game, leading 15-2 at the half. UAlbany outshot its opponent 53-31, had 44 ground balls to UMBC’s 27 and won 21 of 33 faceoffs. UAlbany also forced turnovers on 11 of UMBC’s 19 clear attempts. It is the seventh time this season, and second in a row, that UAlbany has scored at least 20+ goals. Nine different Great Danes scored goals for UAlbany, led by Connor Fields, who scored five goals and moves into ninth all-time in UAlbany single season history with 49 goals. With three goals, plus an assist, Seth Oakes moved into 13th all-time in UAlbany single season history with 46 goals this year. Lyle Thompson also earned three goals and an assist, moving into fourth all-time in UAlbany single season history with a total of 92 points. Tom Nuckel and Kyle McClancy each had two goals plus Cason Liles won 20 of his 29 faceoffs. On the defensive side, Blaze Riorden earned his 13th victory of the year with five saves and four goals allowed in the first three quarters. JD Colarusso finished the game, saving four fourth quarter shots. For UMBC, Pat Young scored three goals while Max Maxwell had two assists. Ruston Souder got the loss with five saves and 15 goals allowed in the first half. UAlbany, the 1-seed in the America East Tournament, will play 4-seed Hartford on Thursday, April 30th at 7 p.m. at Bob Ford Field. 2-seed Stony Brook takes on 3-seed Vermont in the first semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. the same day, with the title game being on Saturday, May 2nd at 10 a.m. Before the game, UAlbany honored its 14 seniors and redshirt juniors playing their final regular season game at home. 27 seconds into the game, Oakes fired a hard shot for the score. Fields added another minutes later, emerging from around the cage and scoring underneath the crossbar. Pat Lewnes scored off a quick offense from the faceoff, which UAlbany responded with a score off the faceoff from Fields. Then, UAlbany caused a turnover on a UMBC faceoff win, seeing Derrick Eccles find Cox for the run and score. Each side added a goal within 12 seconds of each other to make it 6-2 with 6:13 left in the 1st quarter. From there, UAlbany went on a tear, scoring the next 10 goals into the second half, causing tremendous pressure with the ride. Fields scored the first two goals for UAlbany on the run, netting a low shot and a wide open chance during a 5-on-4. The next minute, Thompson set up the catch and shoot to John Maloney. In the closing minute-and-a-half of the quarter, UAlbany added two more goals with Oakes on the setup from Cox, then Thompson scoring on a rip off the pass from Adam Osika. UAlbany led 10-2 after the first quarter. UAlbany’s close defense and ride continued to hinder UMBC as the offense kept on the attack. In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Thompson faked out the keeper and scored next to the goal circle, followed by Kyle McClancy taking a Fields miss from behind the cage and scoring inside the right post. Thompson added another strong goal, getting double teamed, hit and knocked down, still releasing low and getting the ball through the keeper’s feet. As the reserves came in, UAlbany added two more in the closing minutes of the quarter: Oakes passed to Fields next to the circle for the score, then Eccles again set up Cox for a hard shot and score as the Great Danes led 15-2 at the break. The run was completed at the start of the third quarter as McClancy got a chance straight away and scored during a 5-on-5, giving the Great Danes a 16-2 lead. After a Young goal, Osika scored on off the dodge with 11 minutes left in the quarter. The reserves continued to battle as Eli Lasda got in front of the cage for the high to low goal with 3:49 left in the 3rd, then Nuckel added another off the catch and shoot from Bennett Drake. Young got another goal in a man-up situation as UAlbany took a 19-4 lead into the final period. UAlbany struck first in the fourth quarter off a second Nuckel goal, set up from Jake Cullen. UMBC got its offense going in the final period, scoring the game’s final five goals. UAlbany stood strong to earn the 20-9 victory.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Record-Breaking Day for University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Keggins in 20-5 Win Over UMBC - UAlbany sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – Officially the top scoring offense in Division I program history, University at Albany women’s lacrosse (13-3, 5-1 AE) dismantled UMBC (8-8, 3-3 AE) 20-5 on Saturday afternoon to earn the No. 2 seed in the upcoming America East Tournament. Senior Maureen Keggins led the Danes with 11 points on six goals and five assists. “I thought it was a great way to honor our seniors, to have our kids play that well,” said head coach John Battaglino. “They finally had a week to prepare for the game, and we were hitting on all cylinders. They were fun to watch today, and it ended our regular season on a high note.” Keggins put the Danes on the board unassisted less than three minutes into the game. Rachel Bowles followed up with a free position conversion shortly after to make it 2-0 UAlbany. UMBC snuck one through, but Bowles kicked off an eight-goal rally. The junior crashed the crease from Keggins man-up after Alie Jimerson forced a turnover on the ride. Jimerson would turn around to score unassisted on a curl from the point for a 4-1 Dane lead mid-way through the first half. Jimerson’s unassisted tally mark the first of seven Purple & Gold goals scored in a span of less than five minutes. The Danes won six consecutive draws to take control of the midfield and the game in the first period. Seven different players contributed off the draw in the early going. In the midst of the seven-goal sprint, Dakotah Savitcheff scored twice from Keggins to become UAbany’s all-time leader in single season goals. She passed Jodi Battaglia, who previously held the top spot with 56 in 2011. Keggins had all five of her assists in the first half, and would find Jimerson as well as Katherine Sweeney before the period expired. With a 13-2 lead at the break, Keggins (3g, 5a), Jimerson (2g, 2a), Bowles (3g) and Savitcheff (3g) had already tallied at least four points apiece. Battaglino’s squad also recorded just two turnovers. Bowles opened the second stanza with an unassisted slice down the middle. Keggins would go on to score three unassisted goals in a row for a 17-2 Dane advantage. The Retrievers won the ensuing draw, but Michelle Primomo caught the UMBC attack on its heels to force the turnover. She would scoop up the ground ball for a good clear. Sarah Martin tallied her lone point of the day on an assist to Jimerson at the 13:07 mark. Bowles and Emma Powlin would wrap up scoring for the Danes with just over five minutes to play. Courtney Henderson took her 13th win between the pipes with seven saves. The Danes also coughed up a season-low six turnovers. John Battaglino & co., have now tallied 369 points in the 2015 season, the most in Division I program history. The Purple & Gold also picked up its ninth win at home for a perfect 9-0 record at John Fallon Field in the regular season for the first time all-time. Along with Savitcheff’s single-season goal mark, Maureen Keggins is now the all-time single-season leader in points with 85 to date. She passed Rachael Burek (2013, 84 points). Keggins also tied Burek for UAlbany’s all-time top single-game points record with 11 (6g, 5a). UAlbany women’s lacrosse continues its 2015 campaign against Vermont in the America East Semifinals at LaValle Stadium on the Stony Brook campus. The Danes and Catamounts are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m., opening draw on Friday, May 1. The winner faces the victor of the Stony Brook vs. UMBC game on Sunday at noon on ESPN3. 2015 AMERICA EAST WOMEN’S LACROSSE TOURNAMENT Friday, May 1: No. 1 Stony Brook vs. No. 4 UMBC – 5:00 p.m. (AE.tv) No. 2 UAlbany vs. No. 3 Vermont – 7:30 p.m. (AE.tv) Sunday, May 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 – Noon (ESPN3)

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

#7/7 University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Dominates Siena 23-7 - UAlbany Sports 2015

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The #7/7 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team proved to be the top dogs in the Capital District once again on Tuesday, dominating Siena 23-7 on the road for its fifth-straight victory. “I was very pleased to how we responded after a huge win on Saturday against Yale, coming out three days later against a tough Siena team,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr. “We started off great with an outstanding first quarter; we gobbled up every ground ball, Blaze [Riorden] had some key saves, and offensively, we did a great job of moving the ball and finding the open man.” After allowing the first score, UAlbany (12-2) scored the next 18 goals over the next 36:12 against Siena (5-8), leading 17-1 at the half and at one point having an 18-goal lead. “I would say the ride was the most exciting part of our game today,” said Marr. “The amount of turnovers that we caused because of our hustle; riding is just that, all hustle and heart.” 16 different UAlbany players earned points against Siena. Seth Oakes led UAlbany in goals for the fifth-consecutive game, finishing with four. John Maloney scored two goals and two assists, Bennett Drake had a hat trick and an assist while Lyle Thompson and Kyle McClancy each had three points. “We were moving the ball and running our offense,” said Maloney. “We got good opportunities and made our shots. We were trying to get Lyle [Thompson] the ball, and when he would dodge, they would send a double early, so we moved off-ball, and Lyle [Thompson] would find us.” On the defensive end, UAlbany allowed just one goal in the first half. Blaze Riorden saved six shots in the first half to earn the win while JD Colarusso defended in the second half, concluding with three saves. “We didn’t play as individuals, we played together as a team as one,” said Riorden. “Give [Siena] credit, they got some good shots off, but our defense played really well.” For Siena, Tim Cousin netted two goals, adding an assist and was the only Saint to score multiple points. Nick Capalbo got the loss with eight saves and 17 goals allowed in the first half. Siena scored first in the opening minute of the first quarter, then UAlbany’s offense started its tear. First goal, Connor Fields pulled the defense towards him, freeing Matthew Bertrams for the straight-away shot and score. Oakes added another after being left alone, revving up and firing for the goal. A minute later, Maloney connected on a downward shot from Thompson. 35 seconds later, McClancy emerged from the pack, picked up a Thompson missed shot and scored close range. Thompson helped the next goal, drawing the double team and passing to a running Adam Osika for the catch, shoot and score. UAlbany scored twice in a span of 40 seconds, with McClancy going away from a triple team, firing and scoring, then Maloney running through a double team and scoring. The UAlbany ride kept the ball on the offensive end as the Great Danes scored three more times before the end of the quarter off an Oakes rocket shot and score from Tim Cox, an AJ Kluck faceoff win and pass to Fields for the score, then Bertrams adding a second goal on a sprint to the cage and a score. Riorden and Co. held off a Siena attack in the final minutes of the period as UAlbany led 10-1 after the first quarter. The defense stood strong in the opening part of the second quarter with neither side scoring in the opening 6:14. UAlbany broke the drought as Thompson fed Fields for the shot into the right corner for the goal, then 24 seconds later, Derrick Eccles pushed through a defender and scored. As UAlbany’s ride caused a turnover, McClancy drew the defense forward and passed to Oakes all alone next to the goal circle. Oakes turned around for the easy goal. In the following seconds, Cox scored straight-away, then Oakes added another with a hard, long range shot while stepping backwards. Justin Reh took command of the offense, coming from around the cage and scoring, then adding another when the goalie was out of the circle after getting the pass from Drake. UAlbany led 17-1 at the break. 3:14 into the second half, Maloney threaded the needle from the far side to Drake, who completed the play with a high shot and score. Cousin responded and broke the UAlbany run with a goal just inside the left post. The two sides exchanged scores with Ky Tarbell netted a shot while falling near the circle, then long stick Weston French scoring while the team was man-down for Siena. Drake converted while man-up with a pass from John Glancy, then Tom Nuckel added a score two minutes later on a bounce shot. Siena scored the next two as UAlbany led 21-5 after three quarters. As UAlbany went to its reserves, it continued to dominate on defense. Jake Cullen got a chance on the rebounded first shot and converted long range. With 5:55 left to play, Drake added his third goal, coming from around the cage to score. Siena got two goals before the end of the game as UAlbany took the 23-7 victory. UAlbany will go for a perfect conference regular season on Saturday, April 25th, hosting UMBC at 3 p.m. at Bob Ford Field. The game will be televised on the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

#8/8 University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Wins Top-10 Thriller vs. #7/7 Yale 12-11 - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – In front of a program record 4,823 fans at Bob Ford Field, the #8/8 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team defeated #7/7 Yale 12-11 to earn a win in the first matchup of top-10 teams in the Capital District since 2007. The victory for UAlbany (11-2) over Yale (9-3) gives the Great Danes their second over a then-ranked opponent this season, including its win over Drexel, and fourth victory in a row. UAlbany defeats a top-10 opponent in the regular season for the first time since a 25-10 win at #9 UMass on March 8, 2014. “I couldn’t be any more proud of the effort tonight,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr. “We talked about the Medicine Game and playing for JP; it was a great team effort, we did not panic and we stayed with it the whole way.” With UAlbany up 8-4, Yale scored six of the next seven goals to take a 10-9 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining. UAlbany rolled off three-straight goals in the following 4:05 to lead 12-10. With Yale scoring with 36 seconds remaining, Blaze Riorden, who finished with 14 saves, saved a Harry Kucharczyk shot with 15 seconds left to seal the 12-11 victory for UAlbany. “It was a total team effort; when the defense gives up shots I can save, on a good night, I can save them,” said Riorden. “What a great atmosphere here tonight.” On the offensive end, Lyle Thompson earned seven points off three goals and four assists, having a hand in five of the team’s six first half scores. He now stands with 206 assists in his career, passing Rob Pannell and Darren Lowe to stand second-all in DI history, only behind Tim Nelson, who had 221 assists with N.C. State and Syracuse from 1982-1985. :”It was a good win, and a fun game to watch,” said Thompson. “Offensively, we did not get the ball much, but our defense did a great job tonight.” Seth Oakes led UAlbany with four goals, while Connor Fields added three goals. Kyle McClancy and Tim Cox each netted a goal in the key fourth quarter 3-0 run. It is the largest UAlbany home crowd for a men’s lacrosse game in Marr’s tenure. The previous high was 2,953 for UAlbany’s NCAA Tournament home game on May 13, 2007. For Yale, Eric Scott led the Bulldogs with four goals. Conrad Oberbeck, Ben Reeves and Jeff Cimbalista all netted two goals. Eric Natale finished with 10 saves in the defeat. Just over three minutes into the first quarter, Thompson got inside his defender, shot high to low and scored as the ball rolled into the cage for the score. With 8:15 left, Oakes took his stick with one hand and threw the ball into the into the net for the score. Less than a minute later after Eric Cantor caused a turnover on the faceoff, Fields hit the sidearm shot from Thompson to complete the game-opening 3-0 run. Yale got on the board five minutes later with Oberbeck scoring on the man-up chance. Riorden saved a Mark Glicini shot as UAlbany cleared, and on the third shot, Thompson again got inside his defender and scored. Scott scored on a hard shot from long range in the final minute of the quarter as UAlbany led 4-2 after one. Action went back and forth in the main part of the second quarter as neither side could connect for almost 10 minutes. UAlbany broke the drought with two catch and shoot goals from Thompson to Fields. 30 seconds after, Cimbalista jumped, fired and scored for Yale. Matt Garziano caused a turnover in the waning seconds of the half to keep the score at 6-3. Using the remnants of a man-up penalty at the start of the second half, John Maloney found Oakes from behind the cage and the goal to put UAlbany up 7-3. After Scott scored from long range, UAlbany fired away three times at the goal without a score. Yale cleared, with Riorden saving a Cimbalista transition shot and helping UAlbany clear. Fields missed with a high shot, getting a second chance after a pass from McClancy, ripping the shot and score to make it 8-4 UAlbany with 8:39 left in the 3rd. Yale went on a 3-0 run in the next six minutes, capped by a Cimbalista shot from J. Conor Mackie, to pull within one. Just before the end of the quarter, Thompson again got inside his defender for the high to low shot and score with two seconds left, making it 9-7 after three quarters. Continuing to play well on the faceoff, Yale rolled off three quick goals in the quarter’s first two minutes, capped by Reeves running off the draw, for a 10-9 Bulldogs lead. Following a Yale faceoff win and turnover, McClancy took a Fields miss, sprinted from around the cage and heaved a shot for a score to tie the game at 10-10. Two minutes later, Cox took the ball, sprinted towards the far side, fired and scored to put UAlbany ahead. With under nine minutes left, Oakes added an insurance goal, taking a Thompson pass and shooting between Natale’s feet to make it 12-10. UAlbany ran off two minutes of clock on offense and held off Yale’s chance for a minute more. With less than three minutes left, UAlbany held off another Yale possession as Riorden knocked away a Cimbalista shot and a Colin Flaherty shot went wide. Yale scored on a second chance from Scott with 36 seconds left to pull the visitors within one. Yale won the next faceoff, seeing Kucharczyk fire towards the left post. Riorden saved the chance as UAlbany did not see another Yale shot, ensuring the 12-11 victory. UAlbany will board the bus and head to Loudonville, taking on arch-rival Siena on Tuesday, April 21st at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

University of Albany Softball Takes Two From Cornell, 10-4 and 2-1 In Eight - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – Wrapping up a 12-game home stand Wednesday at Albany Field, the University at Albany softball team swept the non-conference doubleheader against the visiting Cornell Big Red, 10-4 and 2-1 in eight innings. With the pair of wins, the Great Danes improved to 21-10 on the season, while Cornell fell to 9-20. “We’re happy to get the two wins,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We hit well in the first game, but we left a lot of runners on base in the second. These were two good games to see what we need to clean up before this weekend.” In game one, UAlbany took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Alexa Toole drew a one-out walk, Maggie Cocks knocked an RBI doubled to left-center and Liz Snow ripped a run-scoring single down the left field line. The Danes steadily built their lead, plating one in the second on Vicky McFarland’s double down the left field line that brought home Jess Tate who reached on a one-out single through the right side. In the third, Snow made it a four-run game with her leadoff home run off the scoreboard in left field. However, Cornell rallied for four runs of its own in the top of the fourth, stringing together three straight singles to load the bases, followed by Taylor Goodin’s two-run double to right-centerfield. With two outs, Chloe Pendergast also doubled, plating two more to tie the game, 4-4. Patient at the plate, Lindsey Haskell and Toole drew walks and Cocks singled through the left side in the bottom of the fourth, setting up Snow’s two RBI single to the same location. The runs gave UAlbany the lead for good. In the fifth, the Great Danes tacked on four insurance runs for a 10-4 advantage. Leading off, Kayla Bailey laid down a bunt single and Samantha Broking followed with a liner through the left side. With one out, McFarland reached on a fielder’s choice and Toole followed with a two-run scoring single to center. Cocks capped the frame with a two-out and full count home run over the left field fence. Freshman Devin Durando earned her first of two wins on the day, throwing the complete game. She allowed four runs and six hits, while striking out eight. For Cornell, starter Sierra Stone (1-6) took the loss, allowing six runs and eight hits, striking out three in 3.1 innings of work. Out of the pen, Katie Carmichael threw the final 2.2 frames, getting credited with four runs and five hits, while striking out two. Offensively, UAlbany put 13 hits up on the board led by Snow’s 3-for-3 performance with four RBI and a run scored. Cocks went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, while Broking also had a multi-hit effort going 2-for-2 off the bench. Quite the opposite of game one, the nightcap featured just nine hits and three runs combined. After having bases loaded in the first, UAlbany finally pushed a run through in the third, as McFarland led off with a single through the right side, stole second, and scored on Toole’s RBI single up the middle. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Cornell worked its way out of the jam with back-to-back plays at the plate that held the score at 1-0. In the top of the seventh, the Big Red tied it up, stringing together a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly to left. Looking to walk off with the win, the Great Danes loaded the bases again in the bottom of the seventh on McFarland’s bunt single and Snow and Solano’s consecutive walks with two outs. However, Kelly Costello’s screamer to center was snagged by outfielder Meg Parker, sending the game to extras. In the eighth, Durando sat the Big Red down in order, leading to the Danes’ winning at-bats. With Costello starting at second, freshman Mackenzie Cleary’s sac bunt moved Costello to third, and Caitlin Cooper played hero with a game-winning sac fly to right. Going 2-for-4 with a run scored, McFarland led the Danes’ offensive output that totaled five hits in the victory. In the circle, Durando (10-2) earned her second win of the afternoon, tossing the final 3.2 innings out of the pen. She held the Big Red to one unearned run and two hits. Starter Mackenzie Thompson threw the opening 2.2 scoreless innings, before being relieved by freshman Nicole Parks in the third. Parks limited Cornell to just one hit in 1.2 innings. Cornell’s Maddie Orcutt (6-9) took the loss, tossing all eight. Up next, UAlbany travels to Binghamton for a three-game conference series Saturday and Sunday

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse: Lyle Thompson’s Breaks NCAA DI All-Time Scoring Record - UAlbany sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – On a warm Tuesday night in Rhode Island, Lyle Thompson became the new NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader, adding another notch to the belt of one of the greatest players in collegiate men’s lacrosse history. Thompson’s assist to Connor Fields in the second quarter against Bryant gave him point #355 in his career to break Rob Pannell’s record. Thompson, who currently stands with 357 points off 155 goals and 202 assists, earned the record in just 63 games. In his career, along with the all-time scoring record, Thompson has earned a share of the Tewaaraton Trophy with his brother Miles Thompson, holds the single season scoring record, including two of the top four scoring seasons in DI history, is tied for the NCAA single season assists record and is just 19 assists away from matching the NCAA DI all-time assists record. After playing in the UAlbany midfield as a freshman and scoring 38 points, Thompson exploded as a member of the attack corps, leading all of Division I points per game the past three seasons: 6.65 points per game as a sophomore, 7.11 points per game as a junior and 6.5 points per game so far in his senior season.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

#18 University of Albany Women’s Lacrosse Extends Perfect Home Record to 7-0 With 15-4 Victory Over Brown - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany women’s lacrosse (10-2, 3-1 AE) downed Brown (5-6, 0-4 Ivy) 15-4 on a rainy Wednesday afternoon to take its seventh consecutive win of 2015 at John Fallon Field. Dakotah Savitcheff scored a game-high seven goals, while Maureen Keggins added four assists. UAlbany opened the game on a 7-0 run. Savitcheff tallied the first goal on a free position just 20 seconds into the game. The sophomore attack won the ensuing draw control, setting up classmate Sarah Martin for a 2-0 Great Dane lead. Less than four minutes into the game, the Purple & Gold made it 3-0 as Savitcheff recorded her second of the contest. Alie Jimerson connected with Savitcheff for her first assist of two. Jimerson got in on the scoring action two minutes later, advancing around the crease for a 4-0 UAlbany advantage with just over five minutes gone in the first half. Brown won the following draw control, but Courtney Henderson intercepted a pass behind the cage to send the Danes the other direction. A Martin shot was stopped, but Henderson came up with another save to set up UAlbany in transition. Keggins found Bowles down the middle to make it 5-0 Danes. After the John Battaglino’s squad suffered its first failed clear of the game, the Bears looked to take advantage and hit the post with 15 minutes to play in the first. Battaglino called timeout to regroup. UAlbany would have two more shots on net before Nichole Eamer put away the sixth goal for a 6-0 Purple & Gold lead. Savitcheff beat the buzzer with 17 seconds left from Jimerson for the 7-0 edge at the break. Henderson had five of her six saves in the first period. The Bears did not go away quietly, opening the half with a goal to prevent the shutout. Less than one minute later Keggins forced a turnover off the draw. The senior was rewarded on the other end with her only goal of the game from Savitcheff. The duo reversed roles to put the Danes up 9-1 after Savitcheff forced a turnover near midfield. Despite winning most of the draw controls, Brown continued to cough up the ball for easy UAlbany conversions. Michelle Primomo picked up a caused turnover to send Martin downfield. She cleared to Eamer for a 10-1 lead with just under 25 minutes to play. Savitcheff would score three more times before time expired. Jimerson converted on a man-up opportunity from Rachel Bowles, and Eamer netted another unassisted goal to wrap up scoring for the Danes with less than two minutes to play. With another standout offensive performances, several Danes moved up the UAlbany record book. Savitcheff’s seven goals put her in second in Division I single-season tallies with 48 to date. She is nine goals shy of becoming the all-time leader in the category, passing Jodi Battaglia. Rachel Bowles has now tied Battaglia’s career points mark with 154. The pair rank tied for ninth all-time. Thanks to four assists against the Bears, Maureen Keggins is now 12 assists away from becoming the all-time single-season leader. She has 64 for her career to rank second in Division I career assists. Her performance against Brown helped her pass former teammate Rachael Burek. With Wedesday’s win, UAlbany is on a six-game winning streak against the Ivy League, dating back to 2013. The Danes will put that streak on the line Monday afternoon, as they face Dartmouth (1-9, 1-3 Ivy) at 3:00 p.m

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

University of Albany: Snow’s Walk-Off Lifts Softball To 2-1 Win Over UConn - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Liz Snow played hero, belting a two-run walk-off home run over the left field wall, lifting the University at Albany softball team to a 2-1 victory over the visiting University of Connecticut Huskies. The home run also broke up UConn pitcher Kayla Doty’s no-hitter. With the win, the Great Danes improved to 13-7 on the season, while the Huskies fell to 10-21. “We had three, four, and five up, so we were just waiting for a good at-bat to keep us in the game,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We were going to bunt, but decided to let the three kids take a swing at it and see what happened, and Liz put a good swing on that one.” “I felt it. As soon as the ball was off the bat, I was like ‘Dear goodness, I hope that goes over,’” said Snow on her game-winner. The walk-off was reminiscent of Snow’s three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning against Stony Brook in the America East Championship last spring. Those heroics forced a deciding game that the Danes went on to win for the program’s fifth conference tournament title. UConn took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, stringing together a pair of singles up the middle, but the Great Danes escaped the frame with minimal damage, turning a 6-4-3 double play. In the bottom of the fifth, UAlbany spoiled Doty’s perfect game, as Marlin Solano drew a leadoff walk and Snow was hit by a pitch, putting two on with no outs. However, the Huskies got out of the jam with a sac bunt and double play on a liner to short. Down to their final at-bats in the bottom of the seventh, Alexa Toole sparked the Great Danes’ rally, drawing a leadoff walk. After back-to-back flyouts to left, Snow proved clutch again with her game-winning dinger. In the circle, reliever Devin Durando (7-1) earned the win, tossing the final three innings, allowing no runs and one hit, while striking out three. Starter Erynn Sobieski threw the opening four frames, allowing one run and six scattered hits, while striking out four. Up next, the Great Danes open America East Conference play versus Maine, April 4-5.

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